our journeys: March 2013

On My Bucket List

The year Chadwick and I got married, I started to train for a half marathon. I even made it up to running 10 consecutive miles (and was slightly concerned that at the end of that adventure my toes felt numb), which was by far the longest I've ever run at one time. We got married, which messed up my training schedule, it got back on track, then we got the announcement that a good friend from vet school was getting married and having his wedding receiption on the morning of my race. The reception was in Lava Hot Springs at his parent's ranch....and my race plans happily went out the window.

The goal of running a half marathon is still on my bucket list, and 2013 is the year.

Step 1: Decide to run 13.1 miles and cross the finish line. No time limits, on my hands and knees counts as finishing.
Step 2: Purchase a jogger stroller so my girlies can join me on this adventure.

For Christmas, my parents helped with this second step and we took her out for a spin. The stroller travels smoothly, but it's depressing how out of shape I feel while pushing the thing. Bonus for the longer runs, Chadwick can help push! He is planning on running a half in September.

Step 3: Find a race - looks like the Rush Creek Stampede at the end of October in Cambridge, ID

Now to start the real training.....wish me luck.

Happy Happy Birthday, Morgan Dear!

...happy days will come to you all year.

I can't believe that our precious little girl is THREE! The time has gone by so quickly. She amazes me daily with her smile and enthusiasm. She makes up songs to sing, loves to show off her new "moves," adores her baby sister, and has been teaching me about the kind of person and mother I would like to be when I grow up.

After a morning spent playing at a friend's house, we had a girls lunch out at Wendy's - she adores chicken nuggets - then got the chance to play at Uncle James's house. The day wasn't supposed to be so jam-packed, but that's what happens when life gets involved. Dinner was here at the house, chicken and rice casserole, and then off to the Grandparents Hunt house for cake and ice cream.

Yes, I made a Hello Kitty cake and with the help of a friend got it frosted. It turned out to be a delightful cake! Betty Crocker outdid herself on the cake mix; for some reason it was amazing.

Presents included a Cinderella accessory kit complete with tiara, shoes, earrings, necklace and handbag; a Polly Pocket doll, a green John Deere tractor and trailer, Thomas the Train set, and some much-needed clothing.

The morning after her birthday, she woke up and asked, "Mom? Am I still three?"

Valentine's Fun

Valentine's week was a busy one for us! Morgan helped me make sugar cookie dough Sunday afternoon and we made the cookies Monday for FHE - there was a ridiculous amount of flour utilized by our little helper, and when it was getting late I offered to finish rolling and cutting cookies another day. Chadwick looked at me like I was slightly crazy and replied that he'd rather not have to clean up the mess again. Good point. The cookies were amazing!

Wish I could say the same for the frosting...it didn't occur to me that cream cheese frosting would taste, well, like cream cheese. My friend Mandie asked, "Is there any other way to eat sugar cookies than with cream cheese frosting?" I sure hope so, because I don't like cream cheese! Now I'm on a quest to find a frosting recipe I like.....

Tuesday Morgan was invited to a party where there were TEN 3- and 4-year-olds at the house - they did a craft, ate a snack (heart shaped Jello), played, and exchanged Valentine's. A total success and I was exhausted watching all the energy. Kudos to Lisa for being willing to host such a party in her household!

Wednesday afternoon found us at Mandie's house for a princess tea party - all the little girls dressed up in their princess dresses, ate fancy snacks, and drank juice from plastic champagne glasses. Morgan played really well with the other girls that afternoon, for which I was grateful. She hasn't yet mastered the art of playing "with" other people; she's better at playing "around" them. The moms had a chance to chat and get out of the house so it was a win-win!

Traditionally, Chadwick and I haven't done much for each other for V-Day, and this year was no exception. A nice dinner with a candle on the table, cookies for dessert, and I made a cute card for Morgan. I'm getting ideas on things to do for the girlies for this love holdiay. Gotta love friends and Pinterest for that!! And yes, I was able to make a heart shape in Morgan's hair. Super proud of myself for that one. =)